Holder for automobile license plates



Sept. 28,1926. 1,601,123

1 JUL. KING HOLDER FOR AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATES Filed May 20, 1926 Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

Mm FECE.

JOSEPH L. KING, OF NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOLDER FOR AUTOMOBILE LICENSE FLATES.

Application filed May 20,

This invention relates to plate holders and more in particular to holders for licenseplates carried by automobiles.

' The primary object of this invention is to provide a holder in which a license-plate may be secured without using screws; Another object is .to provide a holder adapted to accommodate license-plates of various lengths. A further object is to provide a holder whereby a license-plate may be inserted or removed very rapidly without requiring any tools whatsoever. Still a further object is the procurement of a licenseplate holder in which all rattling noises are practically eliminated. Yet another object is to. provide such a device which is simple in construction, installation and operation and which is well suited for quantity manufacture by the metal stamping process. Additional features and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the 7 preferred construction of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the movable post with top rail used in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa perspective view of one of the top rails.

Fig. 4 is a fractional detail View, partly in section, showing my preferred method of locking the movable post into selected position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken through a top rail on line 55 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 6 isa vertical cross-section showing a modified construction of the license-plate holder.

Referring to the drawing, my license-plate holder comprises a base 1 made of sheet metal and suitably bent to form the web portion 2 and the upper channel 3 having at the-top the two horizontal and longitudinal flanges 4; and 5. Upon these flanges are mounted the movable post 6 and the stationary end-post 7, the former being guided for sliding'movement on said flanges by the grooves 8 which are formed by bending the ends 9 of the post-feet 10 so as to slidably engage the underside of the flanges. The end-post is secured on the base in any suitable and desired manner, such as by the rivets 11 inserted through the feet 12 and the top flanges 4 and 5. In the edge of the 1926. Serial No. 110,874.

flange 5 are cut the notches or slots 13 which may be engaged by a spring actuated pin 14: mounted for sliding movement in the proper foot of the movable post. By means of this arrangement, as will be readily understood,

the post may be locked in any selected position to suit the length of a license-plate 15 shown in dot and dash lines in 'ig. 1. Stop lugs 21 are also provided on the flanges and 5 to limit the outward movement of the movable post. 1

For the purpose of holding the license plate, each post-is provided at the top with a top rail 16 which is hingedly connected by means of the pin-connection 17 to the post.

springs. In Figs. 1 and 2 the springs 19 used are of the hinge-type, whereas in the modified construction shown in Fig. 6, the springs 20 are of the coil-type having one end secured to the feet of the posts and the other end attached to the top rails.

To prevent noises caused by vibrations and loose fitting of the license-plate in the holder, I provide in the channel and the toprails strips 21 of soft resilient material such as felt or preferably rubber. These strips are provided with a longitudinal groove 22 to better accommodate and hold the licenseplate. It is generally suflicient to provide said strips to engage the top and the bottom of the license-plate, but, of course, similar strips of cushioning material may be inserted into the channel-shaped posts 6 and 7.

In the web portion 2 of the base 1 there are shown two apertures 23 intended for securing the license-plate holder by means of screws or bolts to any desired portion of the automobile.

To apply a license-plate to an automobile provided with a holder built in accordance with my invention, all that is necessary to do is to first swing the top-rails into substantially vertical position, insert the licenseplate so that it will bear on the lower cushioning strip 21 and then release the toprails so that they may press upon the top edge of the license-plate. The movable post 6 is, of course, adjusted lengthwise to suit the length of the license plate, and the post will be locked in its adjusted position by means of the spring actuated pin 14.

To remove a license-plate, the operations to be performed will be substantially in the reverse order as just described, as will be apparent without further comment.

From the above it will also be readily understood that the insertion or removal of a license-plate may be performed without tools in very much less time than is required by the method, now in common use, of fastening a license-plate by means of numerous screws on a special frame.

As will be understood, as suggested herein, there may be slight changes made in the construction and arrangement of the details of my invention without departing from the field and scope of the same. and I intend to include all such variations, asfall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of my invention are disclosed.

I claim 1. In a holder for automobile licenseplates, a base comprising a web portion and a channel portion having outwardly flaring longitudinal flanges; a stationary vertical post secured at one end of said channel; a movable vertical post adapted for sliding movement on said flanges; atop rail hingedly mounted on each of said posts, and cushioning means positioned in said channel and top rails. I

2. In a holder for automobile licenseplates, a base comprising a web portion and a channel portion having outwardly flaring longitudinal flanges; a stationary vertical post secured at one end of said channel; a movable vertical post adapted for sliding movement on said flanges; means for locking said movable post into selected position; a top rail hingedly mounted on each of said posts, and cushioning means positioned in said channel and top rails.

3. In a holder for automobile licenseplates, a base comprising a web portion and a channel portion having outwardly flaring longitudinal flanges; a stationary vertical post secured at one end of said channel; a movable vertical post adapted for sliding movement on said flanges; a top rail hingedly mounted on each of said posts; cushioning means positioned in said channel and top rails; resilient means for holding normally said top rails into clamping position, and means for limiting the outward travel of said movable post.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH L. KING. 

